LI Cares, PSEG Long Island To Celebrate National Senior Citizen Day

HAUPPAUGE, NY — Thousands of Long Island‘s food-insecure seniors are the focus of the Senior Resource Fair scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday at Long Island Cares’ Center for Community Engagement, at 75 Davids Drive, Hauppauge, Long Island Cares and PSEG Long Island announced. Aug. 21 is National Senior Citizen Day.

The purpose of the fair is three-fold: provide seniors access to nutritious food; distribute fresh Long Island produce at a free farmers market; and expose seniors to advocacy efforts on their behalf and the numerous resources available to them.

The fair is sponsored by PSEG Long Island and hosted by Long Island Cares, Inc. – The Harry Chapin Regional Food Bank.

Seniors who are 60 or older in need of fresh food were encouraged to attend. They will get to choose from 15 different fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as fish, chicken breast and eggs.

Agencies and organizations presenting to seniors about their services include:

• PSEG LI
• Always Compassionate HomeCare
• Cancer Services of SC
• Catholic Health Screenings
• Catholic Health
• Workshops on Knee Osteoarthritis in Board ROOM B, 11 and 11:30 a.m.
• Long Island Cares Support our Seniors, Veterans Project and Just say yes to Fruits and Vegetables
• Cooking Demos and samples
• LI Clean Energy Hub
• National Grid
• Northwell Health C.A.R.T.
• Oyster Bay Senior Campus
• Services for the Underserved S:US
• SC Dept. of Labor
• SC Dept. of Labor Disability Resources
• SC Office of the Aging

"We are proud to once again partner with Long Island Cares to sponsor their senior fairs this summer," said David Lyons, PSEG Long Island’s interim president and COO. "A big part of our company’s mission and culture is having strong involvement in the communities where we live and work, and these fairs give our employees a great opportunity to get out and help our neighbors. We are thrilled that so many people have come out to enjoy the fresh fruits and vegetables that we and Long Island Cares are able to provide together."

Long Island Cares began its outreach to seniors in 2020, with its Support Our Seniors (SOS) program.

In 2023, 23,375 food-insecure seniors at senior centers, housing authorities and other locations were served; versus 17,175 in 2022 – an increase of 36.09 percent. More than 210K meals were served last year, another 36.09 percent increase. The meals were the equivalent of 221K pounds of food.

Long Island Cares provides emergency food and supplies to 221K Long Islanders facing
food insecurity. In addition to the food bank location in Hauppauge and more than 300 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and other locations it provides food to, Long Island Cares runs five pantries: Huntington Station, Lindenhurst, Hampton Bays, Freeport and Bethpage. A Valley Stream pantry is expected to open soon.

Since 2021, PSEG Long Island has partnered with Long Island Cares to increase access to nutritious foods for seniors and veterans, according to the release. The company has been supplying fresh produce at several summertime fairs and veterans’ events hosted by Long Island Cares. PSEG Long Island has a strong commitment to the community and is especially supportive of veterans and seniors, Long Island Cares stated.

"Long Island Cares relies on corporate support to help fulfill our mission," said Dr. Jessica Rosati, vice president for programs and community services at Long Island Cares, in the release. "This partnership has become a necessary lifeline for Long Island’s most vulnerable population. We are humbled by the support provided by PSEG Long Island’s Community Partnership and are grateful for their continued commitment to addressing Long Island food insecurity."